Can hair regrow in male pattern baldness?

 

Excessive hair loss or alopecia in men is a widespread issue. Medical statistics suggest that only about 15 percent of men manage to maintain a thick, beautiful head of hair into their later years. The rest notice thinning and loss of hair by the age of 35 to 45, sometimes even earlier, making the question of treating male pattern baldness highly pertinent.

Why do men lose their hair?

The lifespan of a hair is approximately 3 years. After this period, the hair falls out, and a new one grows in its place. However, this is under normal circumstances. If there are disruptions in bodily processes, the hair follicles leave the scalp without regrowth. It used to be believed that hair loss was a sign of aging. Yet today, men as young as 35 years old seek help from trichologists, with many experiencing the first signs of baldness as early as 28 to 30 years old.

Alopecia is a condition that can be caused by various factors. Doctors have categorized all the reasons for hair loss in men that lead to baldness.

Hormones: Studies have shown that an excess of male hormones, or androgens, negatively impacts hair follicles. Androgenic alopecia occurs as follicles die off due to increased hormone levels within the body. This type of hair loss is not treatable; it can only be temporarily halted. Scalp Trauma: When the scalp is injured (cut, burned, severely hit), follicles perish. As a result, hair does not grow around scars. This is the most complex cause of the condition, as no treatment can restore the vanished hair follicles caused by trauma. The only way to rectify this situation is through transplantation. Doctors also include excessive tension on the hair as a form of trauma. This occurs when the hair is tied tightly in a ponytail. With constant tension, follicles gradually die off, leading to hair loss. This situation can be easily corrected by changing hairstyles at the first signs of trouble; blood circulation to the follicles will recover, and within a couple of months, the hair will normalize.

Stress: Stress affects not only the nervous system but also all bodily functions, including circulation. Constricted blood vessels lead to poor blood supply to hair roots. Follicles shrink, entering a stage of decline. Hair doesn’t receive adequate nourishment, becoming thin, brittle, and falling out. This condition doesn’t occur during the stress itself; instead, the nervous tension accelerates all bodily systems. After a few months (usually 2 to 5), a relaxation phase occurs, leading to a breakdown. It’s difficult to determine if hair loss is due to stress, as many people may not remember experiencing intense emotional states several months earlier when signs of alopecia appear.

Infections: This could range from common colds to localized infections, such as skin fungi. One consequence of infection entering the body is general intoxication. Hair follicles weaken under its influence and cannot hold onto hair, causing it to fall out.

Medication: Alopecia can be a side effect of taking certain medications, such as hormonal drugs, steroids, or diuretics. Prolonged use of antidepressants can also trigger hair loss.

Endocrine System Disorders: The thyroid gland is often the culprit behind baldness. Hyperactivity or hypoactivity of this organ leads to focal alopecia — the appearance of round hairless patches on the head.

Poor Nutrition: A specific set of nutrients is required for the normal functioning of follicles. However, the busy schedules of men often leave them with insufficient time to ensure a balanced diet. Snacking, irregular meals, skipping breakfast, lunch, or dinner lead to a lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for follicular nourishment. The consequence is hair loss. Interestingly, excessive focus on the correctness of nutrition can also lead to this effect. Boiled chicken breast with a side of vegetables is undoubtedly healthy food. However, if consumed constantly, every day, the result will be an excess of some nutrients in the body and a deficiency of other vitamins and micronutrients. The outcome is unbalanced nutrition for the hair roots and loss of their viability.

Only a trichology specialist can accurately determine the cause of the condition in men. Specific laboratory tests are prescribed, and the patient’s overall condition is analyzed. Conclusions are drawn regarding the cause of hair loss, the stage of alopecia, and the possibilities for its treatment.

Types of Male Baldness

The choice of specific treatment for male baldness depends not only on the cause but also on the type of hair loss. All cases of hair loss related to a pathological condition are classified by trichologists. They identify several types of alopecia:

1. Androgenetic Alopecia: This is the most common type of hair loss, often referred to as “male pattern baldness.” The culprit behind this condition is the male hormone dihydrotestosterone. An excess of this hormone in the body adversely affects the condition of hair follicles, making them nonviable. Follicles on the forehead and crown are particularly affected, leading to hair loss in these areas first. In most cases (up to 95%), the androgenetic form is hereditary and resistant to treatment. The only action doctors can take is to temporarily delay the stage of complete hair loss.
2. Diffuse Alopecia: Uniform hair loss. Causes include infections, thyroid dysfunction, stress, and vitamin deficiencies. Treatment depends on the factor causing the condition.
3. Alopecia Areata: Appearance of individual round patches devoid of hair. Initially, these patches are small, but they gradually enlarge and merge with each other. A distinctive feature of this type of baldness is the loss of not only scalp hair but also body hair. The cause may be thyroid dysfunction or autoimmune disorders. This type of alopecia is reversible. With correct and timely treatment, a stage of stabilization is reached, after which hair begins to grow within the hairless patches.
4. Cicatricial Alopecia: Replacement of follicles with connective tissue. This occurs at sites of skin trauma or inflammation on the scalp. Scars from burns or injuries prevent follicles from functioning normally, leading to their death without regeneration, as their place is occupied by other tissues. Due to the complete absence of follicles, this type of alopecia is untreatable.

In each specific case of hair loss, a doctor’s examination is required to determine the type of alopecia and establish a diagnosis. Laboratory tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis, identify the causes, and prescribe treatment methods.

Stages of Baldness

In most cases (over 75%), heredity is the cause of hair loss in men. The first signs of hair loss can be observed by assessing the condition of the hair. If hair growth is slow or nonexistent, if it has become lighter, brittle, and thin, it is time to see a doctor. The period from the first manifestations of the disease to complete hair loss is unpredictable: sometimes it takes years, while in some cases, significant hair loss or complete baldness can occur in just a few months. During this time, the disease progresses through several stages. The choice of appropriate treatment for male pattern baldness depends on the stage of the disease diagnosed.

1. Stage 1: Changes in the hairline are noticeable on the forehead, resembling an indistinct M shape.
2. Stage 2: The hairline on the forehead forms a triangular wedge, with thin, fuzzy hair or complete baldness on the sides (temples).
3. Stage 3: Thinning and thinning of the hairline are evident on the temples and crown.
4. Stage 4: Bald patches appear on the crown, noticeable thinning on the forehead and temples, separated by a strip of remaining hair.
5. Stage 5: Thinning areas on the forehead and temples almost merge due to a decrease in the dividing strip, where hair is preserved. The bald area becomes horseshoe-shaped.
6. Stage 6: Thinning areas merge and enlarge, the strip of hair dividing the temples and forehead thins to reveal the scalp.
7. Stage 7: Complete loss of hair on the forehead and crown, forming a large bald area from the forehead to the crown.

This classification of hair loss is reflected in the Hamilton-Norwood scale, which all modern trichologists use to determine the degree of baldness. The success of alopecia treatment depends on the timing of seeking medical attention: the earlier the stage is diagnosed, the easier it is to restore the hairline. If a patient exhibits early stages, treatment can be carried out with medication or other non-invasive methods. In the later stages of the disease, only hair transplantation can help.

Treatment of Baldness in Men

Hair loss occurs constantly: every day, each person loses approximately up to 100 hairs, which are replaced by new ones. When a pathological condition occurs, new hair does not grow in place of the fallen one. How can you understand that hair loss has transitioned from normal to pathological? Conduct a test: take a strand of hair and, tightly gripping it, run your hand along its entire length. Look at your palm: if you see more than 10 hairs, it’s time to consider visiting a trichologist. They will identify the complexity of the problem, determine the causes, and prescribe treatment for baldness in men.

Dietary Recommendations for Alopecia

Excessive hair loss in men can be caused by unbalanced nutrition. A deficiency of certain vitamins and micronutrients in the body adversely affects the vitality of hair follicles, ultimately leading to their demise. Regardless of the stage of hair loss, a trichologist prescribes a diet rich in vitamins A, B, C, iron, and polyunsaturated fats.

Dietary recommendations include:

• Avoidance of animal fats, replacing them with vegetable oils (especially olive oil).
• Abstaining from alcoholic beverages.
• Avoidance of sweet and floury dishes.
• Enrichment of the diet with fish (preferably sea fish, especially beneficial is salmon), and seafood. Such dishes should be consumed at least 5 times a week.
• Inclusion of liver in the diet.
• Use of vegetables (zucchini, carrots, spinach) as side dishes.

It is necessary to adhere to such a diet for a sufficiently long time (at least 2 months) to see its results in hair growth.

Traditional Methods of Treating Male Baldness

At the initial stages of the disease, rinses and masks from the following folk recipes are helpful:

• Infusions of chamomile and nettle. They should be used to rinse the hair after each hair wash. This recipe is also effective for preventive purposes. Herbal infusions strengthen the hair, making it shiny and healthier.
• Arnica tincture mask. The mask consists of 2 tablespoons of burdock oil, kefir, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of liquid honey, and 1 teaspoon of arnica flower tincture. All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and rubbed into the hair roots. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and shampoo. Do not extend the exposure time, as the flower tincture contains alcohol, which negatively affects the scalp (it becomes dry).
• Castor oil, burdock oil. They can be used separately or together. Mix equal amounts of both oils, apply to the scalp. Leave it on for 2–3 hours. After that, wash your hair thoroughly. Oils can be used to improve the condition of the locks no more than twice a week. More frequent use may disrupt the functioning of the scalp’s sebaceous glands. The downside of the method is slow action. Results are noticeable at least after 2–3 months.
• Evening primrose oil. It works well for androgenetic alopecia, as it has anti-androgenic effects. Apply the oil to the scalp every evening, leave it overnight, and rinse thoroughly in the morning with warm water and strengthening shampoo. Results are noticeable after 14 days of use.
• Mask from onion juice. Grate 2–3 onions, squeeze through cheesecloth. Mix the juice in a ratio of 2:1:1 with warm water and cosmetic clay. Apply the mixture to the scalp. Leave it on for 1 hour. The downside of the method is the persistent smell of onions on the hair. Shampoo is ineffective here. Lemon essential oil can help: mix 3 drops of oil with 1 liter of water and rinse the hair.
• Mustard mask. This method should be used with extreme caution. Such a mask belongs to the category of irritating agents. Its main effect is to enhance blood flow to the follicles. As a result, they work more actively, and hair growth increases. The mask is contraindicated for people with hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, migraines, and glaucoma. The use of the mask may cause an increase in intracranial, ocular, and arterial pressure. The mask should not be done in the presence of psoriasis, irritation, or other skin damage on the scalp. It is also unsuitable for people with increased skin sensitivity, as a burning sensation is felt when applied. Mask recipe: mix mustard powder with warm water in a 1:1 ratio, add ¼ teaspoon of sugar. Thoroughly mix, apply to the scalp, and leave for 30 minutes. After that, rinse thoroughly with cool water. To soften when preparing the mask, instead of water, you can take hair balm. The exposure time is extended by 10 minutes. The mask can be used no more than once every 5 days. More frequent use may cause a reverse reaction: increased hair loss due to thinning of the scalp, which leads to damage to the hair follicles.

It is necessary to resort to any of the folk methods of combating hair loss only after consulting a doctor. Herbal infusions, masks from the “folk medicine chest” can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, an allergen test is conducted first. Special attention should be paid to recipes containing alcohol. The internet is full of advice on strengthening the hair with vodka or pepper tincture. These methods can only worsen the situation because the alcohol dries the scalp, making it thinner and physically unable to retain the follicles, which leads to increased hair loss.

Shampoos and Cosmetic Products

Shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks do not stop the progression of the disease or cure it. Their main task is to provide proper care and prevention. Many manufacturers of cosmetic products produce entire series of hair care products against hair loss. Their main difference from regular shampoos is a gentle composition, absence of parabens, and preservatives in the ingredient list. The composition includes infusions and decoctions of herbs: burdock, chamomile, nettle, St. John’s wort; essential oils: lemon, menthol, tea tree, macadamia, orange, lavender, rosemary. The list of ingredients also includes B vitamins, keratin, quinine, panthenol, zinc, silk proteins. The most well-known brands producing such cosmetic products are Alerana, Kora, Selencil, among others.

Vitamins

The prescription of vitamin complexes to improve the condition of hair and scalp is a matter for a doctor. It is not worth prescribing vitamins or dietary supplements to oneself. Firstly, they do not help everyone. Secondly, by focusing on certain vitamins, you may deprive the body of others due to their incompatibility. Vitamin complexes are prescribed if the disease is caused by stress, decreased immunity, prolonged infection leading to intoxication of the body, or certain chronic diseases. Vitamin complexes for hair strengthening contain vitamins A, B, C, iron, zinc, and sulfur.

Medications

The main goal of drug treatment is to stop the progression of the disease and restore the hair to a normal state. To do this, it is necessary to act on the root of the problem — the cause that triggered such a reaction. Often, these are various diseases in acute or chronic stages. Therefore, drug therapy is primarily prescribed to treat diseases that cause hair loss. However, there are also drugs that directly stop hair loss and accelerate their growth:

Minoxidil. This substance is applied to the scalp. The drug affects the blood vessels supplying the follicles, thereby accelerating hair growth. Finasteride. The drug inhibits the action of the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone — a hormone that causes baldness. It is prescribed for androgenetic alopecia. However, it should be used with caution: overdose can lead to the opposite effect, accelerating the progression of the disease. Selencin. Belongs to the group of dietary supplements. Prescribed for diffuse alopecia. The drug affects the hair follicles, activating their activity. It is available in tablet form. The course of treatment is 2 months. Pharmaceutical creams and lotions are also actively used for the treatment of the disease.

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The bioactive supplement Folisin provides the body with a range of essential nutrients, the deficiency of which is one of the reasons for hair loss. Regular use of the supplement counteracts this process and promotes hair regrowth in areas where hair has already fallen out, such as the crown or temple of the head. Additionally, Folisin helps maintain an optimal level of testosterone in the blood and positively affects pigmentation, allowing for the maintenance of your hair’s natural color.

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